Leeds turn to McCormack for more firepower in promotion bid
Published:Leeds have had an offer accepted for Cardiff striker Ross McCormack as they look to seal promotion to the Premier League this season.
The Scotland international impressed in his debut season with the Bluebirds by scoring 21 league goals, but has found his first-team prospects in Wales reduced by the arrival of Craig Bellamy on loan.
Leeds are 18/1 to win the Championship this season and have made a reasonable start by collecting four points from their opening three games.
McCormack still has to agree personal terms and pass a medical before any transfer is completed and also faces a fight to break into the Leeds first team because of the abundance of strikers at Simon Grayson’s disposal.
Luciano Becchio has led the line so far this season with Max Gradel suspended and Billy Paynter injured, while Davide Somma stated his claim for a starting role by stepping off the bench to score twice in the recent win over Millwall.
Meanwhile, Grayson is also looking to strengthen at the other end of the pitch and has allowed former West Ham defender Calum Davenport to train with the club.
Davenport had his contract cancelled at Upton Park in March after an incident where he was stabbed in both legs last year, but is in training at Elland Road ahead of a potential route back into football.
Grayson told the official Leeds website: “He looked fit and strong, he’s got a bit of work to do, but we’ll see how he goes. He is a good player.
“We’ll give him the opportunity to get fit and really impress.”
Leeds’ next game comes in the Carling Cup tonight against Leicester and they are 4/7 to qualify for the third round of the competition.
If McCormack can secure a move to Leeds and break into the first team then there is a strong chance he could score the goals to get them promoted. He is 66/1 to finish the season as the Championship’s top-scorer.
